Frame construction for motor vehicles



Feb. 14, 1928. 1,659,017

. J. H. CLARK FRAME CONSTRUCTION FOR MOTOR VEHICLES Filed Feb. 1. 192a Patented F b. 14, 1928. I Y j UNITED STATES- 1,659,017 PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES H. CLARK, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR TO BRIGGS MANUFACTIIRING COMPANY, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN, A CORPORATION OF MICHIGAN.

FRAME CONSTRUCTION FOR MOTOR VEHICLES.

Application filed February This invention relates generally to frame construction and refers more particularly to the frames of buses and the like.

The invention contemplates a chassis or and terminally secured to the auxiliary frame in such a manner as to effectively take up torsional strains and stresses to which the frame may be subjected.

The invention also contemplates the provision of means for heating a bus which consists of expelling the exhaust gases into the tubular member and through suitable tubes to registers which may be located at convenient points alon the frame.

The several o jects, advantages-and novel details of construction of this invention will be made more apparent as this description proceeds, especially when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein: i

Figure 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of ,a frame embodying my invention.

Figure 2 is a sectional View taken on the line 2--2 of Figure 1.

Referring now to the drawing, the numeral 1 designates the base frame of a motor bus having inner and outer sillmembers 2 and'3 respectively. As shown, the inner sill members 2 constitute the main frame members and are spaced a sufficient distance apart to accommodate the motor 4 of the vehicle, while the outer or au xiliary sill members 3 are preferably spaced laterally of the main sill members and are designed to carr the body (not shown) of the vehicle. Bot the inner and outer sill members are preferably channel-shape and are braced and reinforced by suitable channel-shaped cross members 5 and tires" ectively.

In addltion to the braces just referred to, the frame 1 is reinforced by a tubular member 7 that preferably extends beneath the main sill members 2 and is terminally secured to the outer sill members 3. As shown, this tubular member 7 is supported from the main sill members 2 by suitable brackets or hangers 8 and carries the rear end of the motor 4. In fact this tubular member 7 actually supports the outer sill members 3 v at the forward end of the frame and is con- 1, 1926. Serial No. 85,282.

nected thereto and to the hangers 8 in such a way that it will effectively takeup torsional strains andstresses to which the frame may I be subjected. This tube 7 also serves as a conductor for the exhaust gases of the motor 4. As shown, the exhaust conduit 9 of the motor extends beside one of the main sill members 2 and leads into the torsional tube 7, preferably adjacent to one of the hangers 8, while suitable tubes 10 and 11 respectively preferably lead from the tubular member 7, preferably one at each side of the frame, to suitable registers (not shown) which may be located at convenient points along the frame. Thus, the tubularmember 7 constitutesan essential part of the heating apparatus of the bus.

While it is believed that fromthe foregoing description, the nature and advantage of my invention will be readily apparent, I desire to have it understood that I do not limit myself. to what is herein shown and described and that such changes may be resorted to when desired as fall within the scope of what is claimed.

What I claim as my invention is:

1., In a vehicle, a supporting frame for a motor including a tubular cross member, means for discharging exhaust gases from the motor directly into said cross member, and means for conveying the exhaust gases from said cross member to a suitable register.

2. A vehicle frame includingspaced inner and outer sill members, said inner sill members located above and adapted to extend the full length of the outer sill members, and a transversely extending cross member constituting a support for a motor, said cross member being carried by the inner sill members and terminally secured to the. outer sill 95 members.

3. In a vehicle, a frame including spaced inner and outer sill members, said inner sill members located above said outer frame members, a tubular member extending be- 100 neath and carried by the inner sill members constituting a support for a motor, and means for conveying the exhaust gases of the motor to said tubular member.

4. In a vehicle, a frame includin inner 105 and outer sill members, said inner si 1 members located above and adapted to extend the full length of the outer .sill members, a cross member extending beneath and connected to the inner sill members and terminally secured to the outer sill x nembers constituting a support fora motor, and aconduit' for conveying exhaust gases from the motor to said cross member. 7

I 5. In a vehicle, a frame comprising a main' frame and an auxiliary frame spaced fromthe mainframe and adapted to extend the 

